The DUP’s gloss on the disastrous Irish Sea border is delusional, says Jim Allister

Jim Allister has rejected Arlene Foster’s remarks on the BBC about the opportunity of Brexit for Northern Ireland.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jan 2021, 06:00 BST
Updated 4th Jan 2021, 10:41 BST
Arlene Foster, the DUP leader and first minister, speaking from Fermanagh on the Andrew Marr Show on BBC TV, Sunday January 3 2021Arlene Foster, the DUP leader and first minister, speaking from Fermanagh on the Andrew Marr Show on BBC TV, Sunday January 3 2021
Arlene Foster, the DUP leader and first minister, speaking from Fermanagh on the Andrew Marr Show on BBC TV, Sunday January 3 2021

The TUV leader said of the DUP leader’s appearance on the Andrew Marr Show (see report below): “If Arlene Foster is trying to put a favourable gloss on the disastrous Irish Sea border, then it is as unworthy as it is delusional.

“There is no good Irish Sea border, nor opportunities.”

Mr Allister, who is a QC and an MLA for North Antrim, added: “Northern Ireland cut off from GB and abandoned in the EU’s single market, customs union and VAT regime is not an opportunity — other than for Irish unification – but a diminution of the Union that secures our constitutional and economic prosperity.”

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Mr Allister said: “Clutching at the straw of an assembly vote in four years is unlikely to do other than create false hope unless the fanatical EU majority in the present assembly is routed at the next election.

“Building the very Irish Sea border infrastructure, as Minister Poots is doing, and cementing its operation for another four years is unlikely to improve the prospect of salvation through Stormont.”

• Northern Ireland has a gateway of opportunity after Brexit, says Arlene Foster

• Editorial: Mere mitigation of the NI Protocol betrayal is not good enough

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• Ben Lowry: Bogus denial of Irish Sea border illustrates this tragicomic saga

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Related topics:Jim AllisterNorthern IrelandIrish SeaDUPArlene FosterBBCBrexit